Burning Heart Records
Swedish independent label that launched punk bands worldwide.
Burning Heart Records, an independent label, was founded in 1993 in Fagersta, Sweden, and later operated out of Örebro. It maintained a close partnership with California's Epitaph Records, which handled North American distribution. The label opened a German office in Berlin at the end of 2003. After shutting down in 2010, founder Peter Ahlqvist worked at Panic & Action, a label he co-founded with Kid Down vocalist Eric Höjdén. In 2014, Ahlqvist secured an agreement with Epitaph for the rights to Burning Heart's name and logo, reviving the label. Panic & Action then closed, transferring its artists to the reactivated Burning Heart. The label was notably successful in bringing European—especially Swedish—bands to an international audience, including The Hives, Turbonegro, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Millencolin, No Fun at All, and Refused. While primarily focused on punk, Burning Heart also released rock, ska, noise, and hip hop records.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 1993
- Founder
- Peter Ahlqvist
- Distributor
- Epitaph Records
- Genre
- Punk rock · hardcore punk
- Country
- Sweden
- Location
- Örebro
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Burning Heart Records was founded in 1993 in Fagersta, Sweden, and later operated from Örebro. It maintained a close affiliation with Epitaph Records, which handled North American distribution. In late 2003, the label opened a German office in Berlin. The label folded in 2010, after which founder Peter Ahlqvist worked at Panic & Action, a label he co-founded with Kid Down vocalist Eric Höjdén. In 2014, Ahlqvist secured an agreement with Epitaph over the rights to the Burning Heart name and logo, reactivating the label. Panic & Action then announced its closure, and all its signed artists were transferred to Burning Heart.
Reader's Guide
Burning Heart Records played a significant role in bringing European, particularly Swedish, punk and alternative music to international audiences. The label focused on punk but also released rock, ska, noise, and hip hop records. Its successes included bands such as The Hives, Turbonegro, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Millencolin, No Fun at All, and Refused. The label's partnership with Epitaph Records was key to its North American reach. After a brief closure and reactivation, Burning Heart continued its operations by absorbing artists from the shuttered Panic & Action label. Its legacy lies in its ability to launch European acts into global prominence during the 1990s and 2000s.
Did You Know?
- Burning Heart Records was formed in 1993 in Fagersta, Sweden.
- It had a close affiliation with Californian label Epitaph Records.
- After folding in 2010, it was reactivated in 2014 following an agreement with Epitaph over the name and logo.
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